Reasons Why DVH Isn’t Thrilled About NCAA Scholarship Increase

Last week’s announcement of increased scholarships in college baseball has generated excitement among fans, but Arkansas baseball coach Dave Van Horn has expressed reservations about the upcoming change. Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, Division I schools will be able to offer full athletic scholarships to their entire baseball rosters, with a cap of 34 players, up from the current limit of 11.7. While this change is seen as a positive development for college baseball as a whole, Van Horn has highlighted concerns about how schools will fund the increased scholarships, noting that not all teams may offer the full 34 scholarships. Additionally, he expects the reduction of roster sizes from 40 to 34 players to have a significant impact on team dynamics and roster flexibility. Despite potential challenges, increased scholarships are expected to attract more top high school players to college baseball and encourage current players to stay in school longer rather than turning professional. While these changes may benefit the sport overall, they could pose challenges for programs like Arkansas, which will have to be more selective in recruiting and managing their rosters. As the landscape of college baseball evolves, coaches like Van Horn will need to adapt to the new regulations and find ways to navigate the changing dynamics of the sport.

Source
Photo credit www.bestofarkansassports.com